title: Opioid influence on the adherence of granulocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro.
abstract: Recent studies revealed the existence of opioid receptors on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (hPMN) and reported the effects of endogenous opioids on hPMN migration and adherence on glass or serum coated glass. Extending these studies, two different assay systems served to quantify the two basic events of adherence: attachment and spreading. hPMN in suspension were allowed to settle under the influence of beta-endorphin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. After 30 and 240 sec the number of attached cells was enhanced 2.5-fold. Studying the spreading of cells, beta-endorphin increased the area 1.5-fold. Since adherence precedes the migration of hPMN through the endothelial layer towards foci of inflammation, the results suggest a modulatory role of endogenous opioids in defence mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Pathology, RWTH-Klinikum, Aachen, Fed. Rep. Germany.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stingl
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D009020:Morphine